- Difficulties
- Difficulty Dif"fi*cul*ty, n.; pl. {Difficulties}. [L.
difficultas, fr. difficilis difficult; dif- = dis- + facilis
easy: cf. F. difficult['e]. See {Facile}.]
1. The state of being difficult, or hard to do; hardness;
arduousness; -- opposed to {easiness} or {facility}; as,
the difficulty of a task or enterprise; a work of
difficulty.
[1913 Webster]
Not being able to promote them [the interests of life] on account of the difficulty of the region. --James Byrne. [1913 Webster]
2. Something difficult; a thing hard to do or to understand; that which occasions labor or perplexity, and requires skill and perseverance to overcome, solve, or achieve; a hard enterprise; an obstacle; an impediment; as, the difficulties of a science; difficulties in theology. [1913 Webster]
They lie under some difficulties by reason of the emperor's displeasure. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
3. A controversy; a falling out; a disagreement; an objection; a cavil. [1913 Webster]
Measures for terminating all local difficulties. --Bancroft. [1913 Webster]
4. Embarrassment of affairs, especially financial affairs; -- usually in the plural; as, to be in difficulties. [1913 Webster]
In days of difficulty and pressure. --Tennyson.
Syn: Impediment; obstacle; obstruction; embarrassment; perplexity; exigency; distress; trouble; trial; objection; cavil. See {Impediment}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
